Condom applicator

Abstract

A condom applicator ( 10 ) is disclosed which comprises a base ( 12 ) with a split line ( 18 ) across it and two flaps ( 14 ) which are connected by flimsy hinges to the base ( 12 ). Tubs ( 16 ) protrude from the flap ( 14 ). The base ( 12 ) includes two generally parallel walls ( 24, 28 ) and a base ( 26 ) which bound a trough ( 22 ). The trough receives the hem ring of a condom. There is an opening in the base which is encircled by the inner wall ( 24 ). When the flaps ( 14 ) are folded over, areas ( 44 ) of the flaps ( 14 ) cover the trough leaving a gap (G) between the wall ( 24 ) and the area ( 44 ). The tubs ( 16 ) span across said opening. The teat of the condom lies across the opening.

1. A condom applicator which comprises:
 a base comprising
 at least two separable parts, each part having a section of a trough wherein the trough sections of said at least two separable parts together define an upwardly open trough with an open top for receiving a hem ring of a condom, said trough having an inner circumferentially extending wall and an outer circumferentially extending wall, and 
 at least two flaps having areas which cover respective portions of said open top of said trough, each area of each said flap having an inner edge close to said inner circumferentially extending wall of said part and hence providing a circumferentially extending gap between said inner circumferentially extending wall of said part and said inner edge of said at least two flaps such that after said at least two separable parts are separated in use the condom unrolls from the hem ring and feeds through the circumferentially extending gap. 
 
 
     
     
       2. The applicator as claimed in  claim 1  wherein said inner circumferentially extending wall and said outer circumferentially extending wall of said trough diverge so that said trough is wider at its mouth than at its base. 
     
     
       3. The applicator as claimed in  claim 2 , wherein both of said inner circumferentially extending wall and said outer circumferentially extending wall of said trough slope. 
     
     
       4. The applicator as claimed in  claim 2 , wherein one wall selected from said inner circumferentially extending wall and said outer circumferentially extending wall of said trough is vertical and another slopes. 
     
     
       5. The applicator as claimed in  claim 1 , and which comprises
 two separate base parts forming said base and 
 two separate flap parts further comprising means for enabling each base part to be secured to one of said two separate flap parts. 
 
     
     
       6. The applicator as claimed in  claim 5  wherein said two base parts are connected together by frangible bridges and said two flap parts are connected together by frangible bridges. 
     
     
       7. The applicator as claimed in  claim 5  having tabs and further having sockets, the tabs configured to fit into the sockets wherein the tabs and sockets constitute a securing means. 
     
     
       8. The applicator as claimed in  claim 1 , and which comprises two base parts held together by one or more frangible bridges, each part selected from said two base parts having one half of said trough therein. 
     
     
       9. The applicator as claimed in  claim 8  wherein said at least two flaps are connected to said two base parts by film hinges. 
     
     
       10. The applicator as claimed in  claim 1  wherein an area of each flap selected from said at least two flaps is above a level of a remainder of said each flap, there being inclined walls joining said area and said remainder. 
     
     
       11. The applicator as claimed in  claim 10  wherein an upper edge of said inner wall is at a level above that of said area of said flap wherein said circumferentially extending gap is defined between edges of said flaps and said outwardly facing surface of said inner circumferentially extending wall. 
     
     
       12. The applicator as claimed in  claim 1  and including tabs for holding a condom's nipple in a compressed condition. 
     
     
       13. The applicator as claimed in  claim 12 , wherein said tabs are connected to said at least two flaps by film hinges and lie across an opening in said condom applicator which is bounded by said inner wall of said trough. 
     
     
       14. The applicator as claims in  claim 1 , wherein said trough is circular in plan view. 
     
     
       15. The applicator as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein said trough is oval in plan view. 
     
     
       16. The applicator as claimed in  claim 1  further comprising a condom, wherein said hem ring of said condom is in said trough and a side wall of said condom is in said circumferentially extending gap with a nipple end of said condom extending across an opening in said applicator bounded by said inner circumferentially extending wall.